UK weather: 'Spanish plume' of warm air set to bring hottest spell of year

Millions of stay-at-home Brits could be basking in temperatures of up to 30C (86F) by Thursday — balmier than Barcelona or Barbados

A blast of blistering air sweeping north from Spain is set to give the UK its hottest spell of the year later this week.

Millions of stay-at-home Brits could be basking in temperatures of up to 30C (86F) by Thursday — balmier than Barcelona or Barbados.

Swathes of sunshine are also predicted for Friday and Saturday, with humid conditions and a risk of thunderstorms, before things start to cool down on Sunday.

The year’s warmest day so far was 28.7C at Writtle, Essex, on July 4.

However, that is likely to be beaten in London and the South-East in coming days, with some forecasters believing the 'Spanish plume' of warm air could bring temperatures of 35C.

That would be way above Barcelona (29C on Thursday), Barbados and Venice (both 28C) or Istanbul (27C) — and is being caused by hot, humid air pumped up from Spain, said the Met Office.

Predicted weather for Thursday, July 17

30C

UK

26C

Barbados

“This will lead to a mini-heatwave and it will feel quite close, with plenty of sunny spells,” spokeswoman Nicky Maxey said today.

“We’re looking at the high 20s for most people but there may also be thunder and lightning, with the risk of some very heavy downpours.

“The 2014 record high is likely to be exceeded towards the end of the week in London and the South-East.

“We could tip into 30C but then cooler air will start to move in from the West on Sunday, bringing the mercury down a bit.”

Temperatures in the UK’s northern half are also expected to climb from a 20C maximum tomorrow to a possible 28C in Manchester on Friday.

Exacta Weather expert James Madden also predicted “temperatures in excess of 30C”, adding: “It will become progressively hotter and drier across the country as hot air builds up from the south.

“There’s even a chance maximum temperatures could hit 35C (95F) by the end of the week in some southern and eastern areas.”

The UK’s highest temperature ever recorded was 38.5C (101.3F) in Faversham, Kent, on August 10, 2003.

The average maximum temperature for July in England is 20.9C (69.6F).

Birmingham temperatures this week

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Bookies Ladbrokes are offering odds of just 4-6 that any day this week sets a new record for the hottest temperature this year.

Spokeswoman Jessica Bridge said: “The odds suggest it’s going to be hotter in Blighty than Barbados this week. Summer 2014 has been a scorcher so far and it’s on the cards that it’ll be the hottest one ever.”

* Britons are 25% happier when the sun shines, new research has revealed.

And 75% told Garnier Ambre Solaire they feel healthier in summer due to being more active and eating better, while 45% say stress levels plummet.